Part sophisticated musical, part wacky screwball comedy with shades of Monty Python, this funny, irreverent satire is the perfect musical expression of Voltaire’s tongue-in-cheek send-up of optimistic philosophies. In a lightning-paced romp, Candide is expelled from home, drafted into the Bulgarian army, brought before the Spanish Inquisition, swindled out of a fortune, shipwrecked on a desert isle, and separated time and again from his true love Cunegonde, who bears with remarkable dignity a variety of carnal besmirchments by almost everybody. Through it all, Candide remembers the lesson of his dear master Dr. Pangloss: that “everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.”

Character

CAST

Played by

Candide

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Jonas Sills

Frank Weidner

Cunegonde

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Zoe Johnson

Francesca Sola

Voltaire/Pangloss/Governor

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Ben Lupejkis

Rocky Miller

Old Lady

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Patricia Butler

Susie McCarthy

Maximilian

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Matthew Artson

Paquette

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Cassandra Ristaino

Captain/Grand Inquisitor

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Aaron Norman

Sheep/Agent

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Brittney S. Wheeler

Gambler/Servant

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Jacqueline Crist-Franzen

Lion/Don Isaachar

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Roy T. Okida

Voltaire’s Helper/Sheep

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Fiona Okida

Madame/Baroness

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Rachael Meyers

Gambler/Baron

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Harold Dershimer

CAST PICTURES

Cunegonde and Candide plan their life together in “Oh, Happy We.”(Zoe Johnson, Jonas Sills)The Old Lady reminds Voltaire that she is important to this tale.(Ben Lupejkis, Patricia Butler)Dr. Pangloss teaches Candide and Cunegonde that this is the “Best of All Possible Worlds.”(left to right: Rocky Miller, Frank Weidner, Francesca Sola)Candide bravely attempts to ward off Pirates as he sails to the new world with Cunegondeand the Old Lady. (left to right: Jonas Sills, Susie McCarthy, Zoe Johnson)Although depressed at the tragic turn her life has taken, Cunegonde consoles herselfwith the gems from her many admirers in “Glitter and Be Gay.” (Zoe Johnson)Voltaire informs the Old Lady that she has entered the story prematurely.(Rocky Miller, Susie McCarthy)Cunegonde recovers from the tragic occurrences in her lifewith the help of expensive giftsin “Glitter and Be Gay.” (Francesca Sola)After many trials and near death experiences, Candide is reunited with his love, Cunegonde.(Francesca Sola, Frank Weidner)Voltaire explains to Candide that he must have faith in his master's teachings.(Ben Lupejkis, Frank Weidner)Candide attempts to protect the Old Lady and Cunegonde from a pirate attack.(left to right: Frank Weidner, Patricia Butler, Francesca Sola)Candide cast and crew. Click on this picture to see full-sized image. After clicking,right-click on the new image and select Save Picture As... or Save Image As... to download it.